Crisis Response

Like almost everyone I know, I've been finding it hard to read or listen to the news lately. Despite my weeding efforts, Facebook remains an ongoing source of anger and sorrow. We can scarcely get through a meal without discussion of our fears. It is a scary time.

People are trying, though, in their own individual and collective ways, to make things better. They are marching and signing petitions and calling/texting/emailing their representatives. I was tremendously flattered when two different thirty-somethings that I know invited me to attend a protest! I couldn't; I had to work. But still, I was pleased that they recognized in me something that called out for change.

On the individual front, a dear friend has turned her own lemons into lemonade: Being homebound with a broken ankle, she crocheted a little hat to cover her chilly exposed toes and then went on to crochet a couple of dozen more that she took along to the cast-maker when she went to get her upgraded replacement cast, the idea being that these could be distributed to others getting foot casts with exposed toes. A small gesture, and one that will be appreciated so much.

I so applaud my sisters and brothers who march, who text, who petition, who act collectively to effect change. I admire their urgency, their zeal.

For me, though, the individual approach seems to be the right one. Some time ago, I learned that the Chinese character for "crisis" is made from two other characters, those for "danger" and for "opportunity." Our world does seem to be at a crisis point; the danger is felt everywhere I turn. I'm looking for the opportunities. And the more I look, the more I find. To try to make small differences. The quilt for the ballet school will raise money for fighting breast cancer. The drawstring bags for menstrual supplies will help thirteen girls somewhere to get a better education. I've been listening as I go about my daily life to become aware of other opportunities to make a small difference. And I've discovered there are many, many more.